Deals On Wheels #454

Working DEALS
T
asmanian owner-operator Kevin
Clark’s liking for a friendly chat
appears to be one of the reasons
behind his success in the excavation
business. Another is his strategic choice
of equipment; the latest being a mediumduty
Hino 500 Series Wide Cab, which he
proudly states is one of the “nicest looking
trucks going around Hobart”.
Just over six months ago, the Euro 5 280hp
(209kW) Hino GH1828 became the sole truck
in the scaled-back Kevin Clark Excavations
fleet. Based in the suburb of Lenah Valley,
the business has been operating for more
than three decades. It’s worth noting that
Kevin’s long-standing business should not
be confused with another operator under a
similar name in the same suburb.
Kevin, however, has been driving
excavation trucks for around 50 years.
Before that he worked in apple orchards, the
tractor driving giving him his first behindthe-wheel
experience. “I had it in the blood I
suppose,” he says.
He later found a job with Hazell Brothers,
a large, long-standing operation involved in
earthmoving and civil construction. Kevin
had graduated to piloting Mack trucks with
pig trailers, but eventually came to the
conclusion that there was more to life than
being an employee. At any rate, Kevin wasn’t
a fan of heavy trucks.
“The big trucks are point A to point B type
work, and I like to go around and talk to
people,” he explains.
When Deals on Wheels caught up with
Kevin it didn’t take long for his sense of
humour to emerge, especially when it comes
to talking about his longevity.
“I’m a young fella yet,” the 72 year-old
smiles. “I’ve booked into our local RSL club to
have a few drinks when I turn 100. I’ve given
them a bit of warning.”
However, he admits that his mature age
was one of the reasons for the downsizing
of his operation to one truck – the Hino –
despite his two sons Craig and Damian,
along with wife Valerie, being heavily
involved in the business.
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